The Veteran's lower back strain prior to September 26, 2003 is rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran's lower back strain beginning September 26, 2003 is rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's COPD was rated at 10 percent prior to March 13, 2008. Beginning March 13, 2008, the rating for COPD increased to more than 60 percent.
The deciding factor: The criteria for an evaluation greater than the current ratings were not met in all cases.
- Claimed conditions
- lower back strain superimposed on spina bifida occulta, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 31, 2009
- Citation
- 0911967
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0911967.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
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- Denied
The Board denied service connection for asthma, COPD, pancreatitis, stroke, and left arm weakness (claimed as secondary to stroke) based on the presumption of exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or due to in-service exposure.
- Dismissed
The appeal seeking readjudication of the previously denied claim for PTSD and multiple other conditions is dismissed due to a procedural defect. The Veteran's authorized representative at the time the appeal was submitted did not have the authority to file the appeal.
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